Journal box and frame connection



Nov. 11, 1930.

R. J. BRITTAIN, JR

JOURNAL BOX AND FRAME CONNECTION Nov. l1, 1930.

R. J. BRrrTAlN. JR 1,781,213

JOURNAL BOX AND FRAME CONNECTION Filed Deo.

2, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lo M H45' A THW/Vix Nov. 11, 1930. R. .1. BRITTAIN. JR 1,781,213

JOURNAL BOX AND FRAME CONNECTION Filed Dec. 2, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Vi' g z i /20 /Z/ i Q/ l i /fO i Fl 6 6 m //5 j I l I 3 4 a //4 /Zlxfs| /58 l l l Nov. 11, 1930. I R. J. BRITTAIN, JRv 1,781,213

JOURNAL BOX AND FRAME CONNECTION Filed Dec. 2, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIGS- Patented Nov. 1l, 1939 inerzia unirse srarssrarsnr ortica f RICHARD J. BRITTAIN, JR., OFBLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL. MOTORS CORPORATION, OF DETEOT', 'MC-IIGAN, A CORPGRATGN 0F DELAWARE JOURNAL BOX ANI) FRAME `C'Olxl'll'ElCTION Application filedrDecember 2, 1929'. Serial No. 411,011.

This invention relates to journal box and frame connections and comprises all the features of novelty herein disclosed. An object of the invention is to provide an improved rocking or tilting connection between a journal box and a car frame. Another object is to provide an improved journal box and saddle wherein load is transmitted from one member to the other at axle level to facilitate lree rocking of one member with respect to the other and insure alignment between box and axle without overloading` the ends of the bearings. Another object is to provide an improved saddle construction. Y

To these ends and to improve generally and in detail upon devices of this character, the invention also consists in the various matters hereinafter described and claimed, in its broader aspects, the invention is not neces sarily limited to the specific construction selected for illustrative purposes in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal central. section. of an axle box and associated parts.

Fig. 2 is a central cross section'of Fig. 1 with the tie bar and a portion of the saddle shown in end elevation.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of a quarter of the saddle which is symmetrical about two axes.

Fig. 4 is halt end view land half cross section of the saddle.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a left side view of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is half plan view of the saddle, the 'other half being a section on line 7-7 of Fig. 4 with the saddle tie-bar in place.

Fig.8 is a side view of a portion of the box.

9 is a plan view of one half oit the box.

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the box.

Fig. 11 is an end view of the tie-bar. Y

Fig. 12 is a left side view olv Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a central sectional view o'Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a seat plate.

ln Fig. 1, the numeral 10 indicates a shaft or axle carrying a raceway sleeve 12 receiving roller bearings 14 having end rings 16. The' rollers run in an outer sleeve 18 contained in the cylindrical bore of' a housing, herein shown as a car axle box20. `A ring or bushing 22 having a locating flange is pressed into i an opening at the inner end of the box, the v bushing having grease grooves to seal its joint with the axle. The bushing has a wide internal groove 24 to receive oil thrownoil" from a rib on the axle andv direct it through a hole at the bottom. The bushing has a guiding or wear face 26 for theV adjacent bearing end ring 16 and has an eXteriorperiphera-l relief groove 28 in communication with'the adjacent end of the bearing. This construction" allows the lubricant propelled by the rollers to run into the relief groove 28 and down through a notch 30 to a cored-out lubricant receptacle 32 at the bottom oic the box, with- 4 out building up a pressure tending to torce y lubricant along the axle and out of the box. Holes 34 connect the receptacle with the iniddle portion of the bearing vraceways, and lubricant rornthe receptacle also has access through `a notch 36 to the outerend of the bearings. Lubricant is preferably main'- tained at a vlevel with the lowermost rollers but, if the' supply gets low, surging ofthe box will deliver it to the bearings at three'v locations.

The outer end of the box is closedby an end' cap 38 having a flange 40 bolted against a gasket, A thrust block 42, preferably of bronze cast around headed stud 44, is clamped against spacing washers 46 by a nut 48. thrust surface on the block opposes 'i the end or' the axle and the block has 'dat side faces 50 fitting between flattened surfaces 52 on the end cap to prevent rotation. The sides ot the bloeit also have cut-out portions or cavities for economy of material, the upper cavity also serving' as an oil receiver and conimunicating thrcngh a hole 'G'with a space above a. lubricating wick v58. Drain hole i 5G prevents' oil accumulating at 54 y and lea-hing out at stud 44. The wich extends from a notch in the thrust block to the bottoni of the box, passingrthrough an opening 60 in an extension 62 on they interior of the end cap. The cap has anarcuate extension 64 at the top Vand' sides to guide and `locate the adjacent bearing and there is a relief. groove' at the bore of the box. An arcuate groove 68 is formed in the YAc'apldirectly above the thrust surfaces of the axle and-the thrustblock,V

' whereby lubricant, thrown centrifugally l .io

kfrom the end rofthe axle during rapid -rotation, isecaught an allowed to drain down a surface 69 to the cavity 54.1 This lubricant .maybe that raised by the wick or that raised by the rollers and running downto therend ofthe axle. Hence an auxiliary supply of' lubricant'is collected and vdrains to the thrust surfaces. V'Excess lubricant on the thrust 'sur.

` faces can, drop downaround the extension 62 and through the notch 136y tothe lubricant reservoir.

Exteriorly,.the opposite sidesof the box j have 'projections v70 vbraced by webs 72.

Cavities are formed in'each projection by a bottom wall or shelf 74 and end walls 76.` A

renewable hardened'block or seatl plate 78 rests on, eachjshelf vbetweenthe:end walls Y and has' its upper supporting surface 1,80

cylin'drically crownedy on a long radius, froin the ends to the middle, the middle .of the lcrowned surface`V being preferably arranged on a level with the centerof the axle and olli set alittle inwardly of the center of the bear-v Arching over the top of the box and hav-l ing clearance therewithis ayole or saddle The saddle has inwardly extending projections 88 at the` sides of the box and fit-ting between the flaring walls 84 of the ears 82.

-, A cav-ity is formed in each` projection by a wall or boss 94.

0. the' saddle.

horieoiital wall-90, end walls 92, and a side surface 80. Hence the saddle and box can.l

havea relative rocking ortilting movement Ufongitudinally of the axle wit-hin the limits defined by thevspaced and rounded ears 82.

Engagement of the ears 82 with the projections 88 on the saddle transmits lateral thrust forces and rpositions the box with respect Y The engaging rocker surfaces arel at4 k'a'xle level sok that the load carried by the saddle Vdoes not tend to overload the ends of the roller bearings by canting. the

' boxin vertical plane, the box being free v se . et the center line torock with respect to the saddle to align itself with the axle at all times. Olfsetting the center lof the rocker Vsurfaces with respect to thecenter of the bearings further insures against overloading of tlievvbeai*` at their outer ends where overloading is more apt'to accur. There is a slight clear ance between the sides of the box and flat iny ner walls 98 of the saddle to allow some relat've twisting around a vertical axis, as at A hardened block or seat platey 96 fits in.V each cavity and its lower by a wall 155.

ably crowned or has a little clearance where it confines'the seat plate V78 to facilitate this twisting. The saddle is strengthened by internal'langes or webs 100, a cross web 102, arcuate flanges 104 which' extend around the box outside of box flanges A105, and by short The-saddle also has outwardly extending reinforcing ribs 108 'near the edges.-

f The saddle has verticald'ependinglegs 110,.

webs 106 lconnecting the flanges 100 and 104. n

at' opposite sides of the box,and springseats or cavities formed by horizontal extensions 112, end walls 114, and side walls 116 having Va vreinforcing rib 118. The walls 116 have spaced internal faces` 120 covered by `wear plate legs 122 on awear plate 124 which covers the saddle legs 110, thusproviding guide Vfor pedestals of the `car frame (not shown).

The wear plate has a horizontal portion 126 fitting a recess 128in the extension 112 to sup port a coil spring. Openings 130 drainthe spring seats or cavities and the .extensions I 112 are braced by webs 132.

Each leg of Vthe saddle has spaced inward-` ly projecting vertical reinforcing flanges 184 which are substantially continuations of theV arcuate flanges .104. These flanges projectj Y Ya little further at,` the bottomrwhere they have/a finished edgef135 and are thickened alsoto provide securing lugs 136 and 138 pressions 140, one lug=136 having the depres! :sion .at the outer side and the other lug hav.-

ing the depression at the inner side. Y Each re- -connects the lower ends of saddle legs,as Y

hereinafter described.` Y Y Y Below the box and having clearance therewith is a tie beam or connecting iiieinber 150 herein shown as a collector rbeam bracket for thirdrailcars. The connecting member is .symmetrical abouta vertical plane through the center of the axle and has an upper flange wards the front of the axle box and connected The (flanges vare convexly crowned andare carried by vertical webs 156 joined by vertical cross webs 158, 160 and 162. The rear cross web 162'projects downwardly and its ends .extend beyond the body of the l connecting member to forni securing lugs 16,4-, each having a bolt opening 166. A short loeating lug 168 projects horizontally from` each lug 164 to overly the thickened part of one of the securing lugs 138 of the saddle, and aven tical lugs 170 yon the cross web 162 has a finished face to engagethe finished edge 135 of vthe adjacent'saddle securing lug 138. A bolt 172 (Figs. 1 and7) passes through the opening 166 ofthe lugs 1.64 and through the opening (Fig.v 5) which have flat sided recess-es orde-V `152 and a lower flange 154 projecting outptoifi gether. Horizontal flanges 178 and vertical flanges 180 project from thetie beam. Short l flange 180 has a bolt opening 188 for a bolt 190 whose head l92enters the notch orA recess isll()V in the saddle lug 136, the bolt passing through the opening 1-l2 and having a clamping nut 194.

l claim: A j Y1. In a device of the character described,

journal box, an axle journalled in the box,

the sides of the box having supporting surfaces projecting outwardly nearaxle level, a saddle extending over the box and having dcpeneing legs at opposite sides of the box,

the. leg. having external flanges forming pedestal way" vand having supporting surfaces exo'eneing inwardly over the supporting surfaces of the box the su) ortine' surfaces of the box a d san lle being relatively crowned an. `longitudinally of the axle, and the crowning being substantially at axle level; substantially as described.

ln a'device of the character' described, ajournal box, an axle journalled in the box,

4the sides of the box having supporting surfaces projecting outwardly near axle level,

a saddle extending over the box and having depending legs at opposite sides of the box, the legs having external flanges forming pedestal ways and rhaving supporting surfaces extending'inwardly over the supporting` surfaces of the box, the supporting surfaces of the box and saddle boing relatively crowned longitudinally of the axle, the middle of the 'croi-.vi being substantially at axle lcyel and offset inwardly with respect to th-e middle point of the journalled vportion of the axle; substantially as described.

3. ln. a device of the character described, a journal box,an axle journalled in the box, the sides of the box having supporting surfaces projecting outwardly near axle level, a saddle extending over the box and having depending legs at opposite sides of the box, t1 "ogs havin supporting surfaces extending inwardly over the supporting surfaces of the bo sides of the box having spaced ears pro citing therefrom, and the saddle having intcrna l projections entering between the ears; substantially as described.

In a device ofthe character described, a journal box, an axle ournalled in the box, the sides ofthe box having supporting surfaces projecting outwardly near axle level, a saddle fxxtending over the Vbox and having dep ending legs atI opposite sides of the box, the legs having supporting surfaces extending inwardly over the supporting surfaces of the box,the sides of the boxhaving spaced earsprojecting therefroin,the saddle having internal projections entering between'the ears, and the ears and the projectionsl `having their adjacent walls relatively crowned; substantially as described. Y 'I Y j `5. In a device of the character described, a journal box, an axle journalled in the box, the sides of the `box having supporting surfaces projecting outwardly, a saddle extending over v the box and having depending legs at opposite Y. sides of the box, the legs having supporting surfaces extending inwardly over the supporting surfaces of. the box, the supporting surfaces off the box and saddle being relatively crowned longitudinally of the axle, the box i and saddle having projections on one member entering Ibetween spaced ears on the other member, andthe ears being rounded on their facing walls to allow the box and saddle to have a relative rocking movement on the' supportingsurfaces; substantially as described. 6. In a device of the character described, a journal box, an axle journalled in the box, the sides of the box having supporting surfaces i projecting outwardly, a saddle extending over the box and having depending legs at opposite sides of the box, the legs having supporting surfaces lextending inwardly over the supporting surfaces of thebox, the supporting surfaces of the boxand saddle being relatively crowned longitudinally ofthe axle, the box having spaced ears near the ends of the Vsupporting surfaces, the saddle `legs having internal projections entering betweenthe spaced ears on thebox, and the ears being rounded upwardly and outwardly away from the sup soY loo'

)ortin surfaces substantiall asdescribed.

7. ln'a device of the character described, a journal box, an vaxle journalled inthe box, a saddle extending over the box and having depending legs at opposite sides of the box, the box and ysaddle having rocking engagement one with the other longitudinally of the axle, one, of said members havingva pair of spaced ears and the other member having projections entering between the ears, and the adjacent walls of the ears and projections being vertically crowned; substantially asdescribed.

8.- ln a device of the character described, a journal box, an axle journalled in the box, the sides of the box having horizontal shelves projecting outwardly, lower seat plates resting on the shelves andhaving upper supporting -upper seatV :plates enga-ging the projections and having lower supporting surfaces resting onthe supportingsurfaces of the lowerseat plates, and the engaging supportingsurfaces being relatively crowned; substantially as 'described.

9. in a. devies-0f' as Cmmcafaambea,a"

journalbox, an axle journalled vfurthe box, the 1130;'

j having youtwardly extending frame engaglng members and internal projections with sup` vporting surfaces resting on the supporting sides ofthe box'havinghorizontal shelves projecting outwardly, end walls at the ends of the shelves, seat plates resting on the shelves andl confined between the end walls, the seat plates having upper supporting' surfaces ar- Aranged substantially at axle level, a saddle extending over the box and having depending legs at opposite sides of the box, the legsengaging theouter sides of the lseat plates and holding them on the shelves, and the saddle surfaces of the seat plates; substantially as de- Y I scribed. Y

" 10. In a deviceof the characterdescribed, Y

,1 vpending legs atopposite sides of the box, the

legs engaging the outer sidesv ofl 'the seatV Y plates and 'holding them on the shelves, the,

vsurfaces of thel box saddle rlegs having outwardly extending frame engaging members and internal projections withcavities, the cavities having each ahorizontal wall and end walls, upper seat platesengaging the horizontal wall and litting between the end walls, and the upper seat' plate-shaving a lower supporting surkface resting on the upper supporting surface of the lowerseat scribed. A Y,

11.,In a device of the character described,

plates; substantially as deournal box,y an axle .journalled in the box, .the opposite-sides of the box having supporting surfaces l.projecting outwardly near axle l level, said surfaces being crowned longitudinally of the box, a saddle extending'over the box Vand-having depending legs, at Vopposite sides of the box, andthe legs having outwardly extending frame engaging members and supporting surfaces-extending inwardly nearaxle level and supported on the crowned substantially as described. v f f Y 12. In a device of the character described, a journal box, an axle journalled in the box,l ansaddle extending over the `box and having depending legs at oppositey sides of the box,

' the legs having horizontal extensions, and

wear plates attached to the saddle legs and lhaving their lower ends vbent to engage the extensions; substantially as described.

13'.V In a deviceof the character described,

journal box, an axle journalled in the box,

f a saddle extending over 'the box and having depending legs at opposite sides of the box,

the legs 'having vertical side walls and horizontal extensions, Wear plates having legs yengaging the side wallsv to form pedestal i scribed.

estal ways and internal reinforcing vflanges, ,Y

v 75 Vmeans for connectingv the tie beam to the internal flanges ,substantially as described.

a tie-beam` extending under the box, and

15. In a device of the character described,` a journal box,'an axle journalled in the box, a saddle extending over the box and' having depending legs at opposite sides of the box, the legs having external horizontal extensions forming spring seats and internal yreinforcing flanges, a tie kbeam extendingfunder the box, and means for connecting the tieV beam to the iianges; substantiallyv asde-l 16.V In a device of the character described,"y a'journal'box, anaxle journalled in the box,

a saddle vextending over the box and having'A depending legs at opposite sides of the box, the saddle legs having sidewalls forming pedestal ways, the lowerends of the saddleV legs having internally; projecting securing lugs, a tie beam extending'under the box, and` bolts securing the tiebeam to the lugs; substantially as described.

17. In a device of the character described, a journal box', an axlejournal'led in the box, a saddle extending over the'box and having depending vlegs at oppositesides of the' box, 'v the lower end of each leg having a pair of internal lugs,.a tie beam extendingy under the box, and bolts securing the tie beamA to the lugs; supstantially vas described.

18. Ina device of the character'described, a journal box, an axle journalled in the box, a saddle extending over .thel box and having 1 depending legs at opposite sides of the box, the lower ends of the legs having securing lugs with flat sided recesses, a tie beam exa journal box, an axle journalled in the box, Q a saddle extending over the box and having dependinglegs at opposite sides of the box, a tie beam extending under the box and having vprojecting lugs, thelower ends of. the

saddle legs having. securing lugs engaging Y said projecting lugs, means for clamping the engaging lug-s together, and the tie beam having locating lugs engaging the securing lugs ';v substantially as described.

, In testimony whereofl Iy hereuntov ailix my signature.

RICHARD J'..BRIT1TAIN,'JR. 

